After spending many years in Oshawa's heavy metal band Blind Vengeance, in 1988 Harry Hess and Darren Smith were ready to move into a new musical direction. Teaming up with their buddies Pete Lesperance and Mike Gionet, they began rehearsing and writing original material together. Deciding to make a go of it and try to get a record deal, they rehearsed for a full year before playing live. Putting together an 11-song demo in Hess's 24-track recording studio, they sent their manager out to shop it in early 1989 while continuing to write more material. In 1990 they entered Q107 FM's annual Homegrown Contest, placing second over all; by the end of that summer, they were in negotiations with Warner Music Canada.

Their eponymous debut on WEA was released in 1991 and received instant airplay on rock radio stations across the country. With videos to support the singles and tours of the nation's bars, the album quickly climbed the rock charts, going on to sell a respectable 30,000 copies in Canada. It was also released in Germany, Portugal and Spain.

Getting off the road in the fall of 1992, principal songwriters Hess and Lesperance started writing once more, and the result was 1993's Mood Swings, a decided departure stylistically from the pop-metal of the first album. The heavier edge to the material lost them some of their loyal fanbase, but it also gained them respect in the industry. That fall they went on the road opening for April Wine in western Canada.

The first album was re-released in Japan in 1994 and quickly garnered rave reviews. Warner Music Canada had the band put together a quick live release which was shipped to Japan to facilitate the newly expanding fanbase. Such was the reaction that the band went to Japan in 1995 to promote the first two albums plus 1995's "Voice Of Reason". Original bassist Mike Gionet left the band at this time and was replaced by Barry Donaghy (ex-Blu Bones). Subsequent support from the Japanese proved to be their strongest market allowing the band to customize their releases there.

In 1997 Harem Scarem released a new studio album, "Karma Cleansing" in Canada to mixed reviews. The days of corporate rock were waning and the band was in the market for a change, so in 1999 Harem Scarem would re-invent itself under the new banner RUBBER in North America (while maintaining their old moniker in foreign territories). The change was a refreshing one as the self-titled debut produced the band's first national Top-20 hit "Sunshine" which was mixed by Arnold Lanni (Frozen Ghost, Our Lady Peace). However, the initial reaction wasn't enough to keep Warner Music interested and after a contract fulfilling final release in 2001 called "Ultra Feel", the band parted ways with their label.

With a strong overseas presence, the Harem Scarem/Rubber contingent has been able to release albums yearly since then on a number of independent labels worldwide. "Weight Of The World" was released on Marquee/Avalon in Japan. The band continued to release albums between North America (as Rubber) and Japan & Europe (as Harem Scarem) until the group mutually decided to stop recording and touring in 2009.

In 2002 Creighton Doane released his 2nd solo album entitled 'Learning More And More About Less And Less' on Bullseye Records. He followed that up with 'Pilot Error' in 2010 as a Digital album; in 2003, lead singer Harry Hess released his first solo album called 'Just Another Day'. Hess continues recording other major label and independent acts at his Vespa Studio in north Toronto including Billy Talent, The Kings, John Boswell, Maureen Leeson, and Creighton Doane; Darren Smith has continued with a solo career; Lesperance writes, records and produces for his own solo material, for other artists and is in the band Fair Ground.